Guests at the gala preview of the Festival of Trees in-cluded Allen Park Councilman Kevin Rourke (left) and Karen Rourke, and Allen Parkers Mona and Tom Gunderson. The 25th annual event, a benefit for Chil-dren’s Hospital of Michigan, featured a sale of profes-sionally decorated Christmas trees, an auction, gift shop and strolling supper. It was held at the city’s Municipal Auditorium.

Christmas activities in full
swing throughout the area
The Christmas season is well under way throughout the area with holiday parties and performances, charity fund-raisers and special activities for children.

The official holiday kick-off was the spectacular Festival of Trees in Allen Park, which began with a gala preview and ended Nov. 29 after attracting thou-sands to the annual display.

Sponsored by ACO Hardware and Compuware Corp, the 25th annual event, a benefit for Children’s Hospital of Michigan, was held at the city’s Municipal Auditorium for the second time.

“We were thrilled with our relationship with the city and the response to the event,” said Theresa Diefenbach, director/event coordinator for the FOT.

She added that a Festival of Trees gift shop in the Compuware Building in downtown Detroit will re-main open through Dec. 18, and that contributions to the hospital are still being accepted at the festival website, www.fot.org.

Greenfield Village
Visitors to Greenfield Village’s “Holiday Nights” events take a step back in time from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18 through 23, 26 and 27.

Tickets are $17, adults, and $15, youths. Chil-dren 4 and under are admitted free.

Visitors can skate with period-costumed present-ers on an ice rink and travel a lantern-lighted path to historic homes offering holiday treats.

New this year is “Supper with Santa,” a family dining package that includes a turkey dinner, arts and crafts, storytelling and admission to “Holiday Nights.” The cost is $39.50, adults; $30.50, youths; and $12, children 4 and under.

In addition, the historic Eagle Tavern will offer a holiday feast featuring rib of beef and chicken and “Holiday Nights” admission. The cost is $68.50, adults, and $66.50 youths. Seatings will be at 5 and 8 p.m.

For tickets and more information about the holi-day events, call (313) 982-6601 or go to www.thehenryford.org.

Henry Ford Museum
Santa will accept gift requests this year at a new location in the Henry Ford Museum, where he will also pose for family photos in front of a 25-foot Christmas tree from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

Displays including an amazing Lego exhibit of trains, Detroit buildings and much more will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 3, with the exception of Christmas.

Admission is $15, adults; $14, seniors; and $11, youths. Children 4 and younger are free. For more in-formation, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.

In addition, Disney’s “A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience,” is being shown at the IMAX Theatre on the largest movie screen in Michigan.

A Clara Ford impersonator will greet guests at luncheons planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 15 and 17. The cost of $22 per person includes a tour of the mansion.

Piano virtuoso Curtis Posuniak will perform at a holiday luncheon concert slated for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 11. The cost is $40 per person.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, a candlelit dinner/walk will feature entertainment by the Silver Strings Dulci-mer Society. The charge is $42 per person.

Candlelit tours of the home, $15, are slated for 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 20 and 26.

Among the florists, firms and organizations par-ticipating in the decoration of the historic mansion were Floral Career Academy of Allen Park, Master Bedroom; Fair Lane Volunteer Gardeners, Clara Ford’s Study and Powerhouse Garage; Artists’ Soci-ety of Dearborn, Field Room; Ken Baron’s Florist & Gifts of Dearborn Heights, Library; and the College for Creative Studies, School of Interior Design, Edison Suite.